In your opinion what is the biggest anxiety within the world of learning and development at the moment?

The anxiety I’m seeing amongst L&D professionals at the moment is a fear of not doing enough or not adding the value they want to. The pandemic has created so much uncertainty and fundamental change in so many organisations in ALL sectors, it has shown us that corporate agility and innovation are fundamental to survival. So the pressure on L&D is to be ahead of this curve which is exciting for some and terrifying for others! Even doing business as usual is a considerable challenge….

Who or what is informing your thinking around L&D?

I think trial and error is informing everyone’s thinking in our profession. We are breaking new ground as IBM used to say “fail faster” to learn quicker. We’ve got to keep the momentum for innovating and learning from everywhere we can. My natural magpie tendencies are coming to the fore – picking up techniques from gamers, football heroes as well as some stand out leaders in all areas of society. I’m using these less obvious sources to build, stretch and challenge my pre-COVID thinking.

What is the most exciting innovation on the horizon for learning?

This has got to be using technology to measure the impact of learning on performance and behaviour in a way that motivates the individual to achieve their Personal Best. We have the ability to scan our brain waves now, how can we develop the understanding of endorphins, oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine to maximise our learning potential? I believe using research based on neuroscience to influence the digital offer is hugely exciting.

What “game changers” would you like to see and why?

I’d like to see more in real time learning earlier in people’s lives, with constant feedback and review. Embedding and strengthening a coaching and behavioural psychology approach within education so that by the time people come into the workforce they are committed learners.

What do you think the world of L&D will look like by 2030?

I have a feeling (hope) we will have such a holistic approach to learning by 2030 that it really is an everyday activity. People will come into adulthood knowing that they will have several different careers, experiences, extended family commitments, travel etc. The expectation is to have a full and varied life! So that learning and development is natural, valued and self-driven…..a true growth mindset will be a feature of the 2030’s and we will all be learners.

What advice would you give your 21 year old self?

Grab every opportunity, treat every experience as learning, remember every day you are practicing/embedding/improving on some aspect of life. Plus be kind to people and follow your dreams!

About the author – Alex Taskin:

Alex was a finalist in the 2021 Covid Champion award and is Director at  Passe-Partout Consulting where her focus is in the area of leadership and change.

Connect with Alex via LinkedIn

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